Kevin Bridges appeals for Scots to keep supporting charities during coronavirus pandemic

Kevin Bridges donated £20,000 to CHAS and called for others to continue supporting charities during the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: John Devlin

The Glaswegian entertainer, star of several sold-out arena tours across the UK, warned that many third sector organisations would struggle as they could no longer stage their regular outdoor fundraising activities.

Bridges yesterday donated £20,000 to CHAS - Children’s Hospices Across Scotland - in memory of a young boy he met at a hospice in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire.

“A lot of good causes are struggling for funding during all of this (fundraisers etc cancelled),” he said in a tweet yesterday.

“Children’s Hospices Across Scotland are needing some dosh. If anyone can donate then that 20k can be at least doubled.”

CHAS chief executive Rami Okasha said: “We are humbled and bowled over by this.

“It’s a huge boost for the charity and for the families we support. Knowing your child will die young is the hardest thing and the current pandemic has added an unforeseen complication to that situation.

“Right now, we are doing everything we can to support children while keeping people in hospices safe. At the same time, we are finding radically new ways to support families who have to self-isolate at home, and new ways to fundraise for it too.

“The way we work has changed overnight but we are determined to forge ahead. The support we’ve seen so far is extraordinary.

“The fact Kevin made this gift on Mother’s Day and in memory of a wee boy he met at Robin House makes this all the more precious to us. We have extended an invitation for Kevin to come visit us again once we’re all through the other side of this.”

CHAS said that around 16,000 children and young people live with life-shortening conditions in Scotland.